AusBonsai

Hi everyone,



I'm about to start an interesting new project. I ran up to the local craft store and picked up a few small styrofoam cones: And I started some Ficus cuttings:
Now once the cuttings root I am going to take them and wrap them around the cone, then let them fuse. This should create a nice small tree with great taper and no chop marks. Should be pretty sweet.


Any comments?

sounds like a plan. can't see why it wouldn't work. have you seen what this guy does with trident cuttings? http://www.dugzbonsai.com/tridenttrunk.htm

Basically the same idea, but he is slightly more sophisticated in his internal structure. if it works for tridents, it will work better for figs.

DustyRusty wrote:sounds like a plan. can't see why it wouldn't work. have you seen what this guy does with trident cuttings? http://www.dugzbonsai.com/tridenttrunk.htm

Basically the same idea, but he is slightly more sophisticated in his internal structure. if it works for tridents, it will work better for figs.

Yup he's my inspiration! I've been trying to figure out how to create a wire frame like he has, I think that'd work better.

I've done something similar but around an old hardwood stump with really nice root spread that washed up in the 2011 floods. I've take about 20 fiscus benji. cuttings and used grafting tape to tie them to the stump and then tightly together at the top making a cone shape. I then potted it like ROR and hoping it fuses together soon. It's been in a green house since last spring expcept for during summer. Will take a photo if you'd like.

scuba16 wrote:I've done something similar but around an old hardwood stump with really nice root spread that washed up in the 2011 floods. I've take about 20 fiscus benji. cuttings and used grafting tape to tie them to the stump and then tightly together at the top making a cone shape. I then potted it like ROR and hoping it fuses together soon. It's been in a green house since last spring expcept for during summer. Will take a photo if you'd like.

Sounds interesting, a picture would be awesome!

I built this wire cone instead and will use it, should work better:

I did a similar experiment with an Azalea once apon a time ago FG. Have no idea how it turned out as I ended up giving the plant to someone else. I saw a pic of it some time ago where the bloke I gave it to reckoned the styling was pretty poor, (fair cop as the plant wasn't stytled as any sort of Bonsai, being it was simply a root experiment). From the little I could see of the 'trunk' I'd say the experiment worked pretty well. The cone I used was simply spag moss, but that wouldn't work with a fig. Only worked with the Azalea because of the plants reluctance to send roots into different soil mixes.

Excellent Idea FG.

Either the cone or wire will work I reckon.
Alpine does something similar with Maples by just bundling them all together and some are plaited.

Either way a good idea.

ken

kcpoole wrote:Excellent Idea FG.

Either the cone or wire will work I reckon.
Alpine does something similar with Maples by just bundling them all together and some are plaited.

Either way a good idea.

ken

I figured the wire cone would be better for air movement, and maybe if it's humid enough inside the cone, the cuttings will start dropping aerial roots and speed up the fusing process.

Hoping I have enough cuttings though

I also hope the cuttings are all from the same tree and that I didn't trim any other microcarpas and stick them in with the others

Made another cone, on the right:

scuba16 wrote:I've done something similar but around an old hardwood stump with really nice root spread that washed up in the 2011 floods. I've take about 20 fiscus benji. cuttings and used grafting tape to tie them to the stump and then tightly together at the top making a cone shape. I then potted it like ROR and hoping it fuses together soon. It's been in a green house since last spring expcept for during summer. Will take a photo if you'd like.

I did the same also...with ficus retusa...around 12 cuttings around a cone shaped wood. Not much progress yet.I saw someone plantd the cuttings on a cone made of moss, at different heights like where the branches will be, eventually the moss get filled with roots and creates a nice gnarled trunk.

Took the rooted cuttings, placed them around the cone, and wrapped them. The soil I put them in is too water retentive though, so tomorrow I'm picking up some better soil and repotting them.

they will not take long to grow and fuse
Good stuff

ken

kcpoole wrote:they will not take long to grow and fuse
Good stuff

ken

That's what I'm thinking. Now I just need to get them back out of that pot and put them into some better soil